The announcement that a planned 3p rise in fuel duty is set to be scrapped has been described today as the ‘culmination of a hard fought campaign’.

The SNP has been at the forefront of calls to scrap the rise in fuel duty that had been planned, highlighting the enormous damage it does to households and businesses. Had the rise gone ahead as planned, it would have represented a £130 million tax rise for Scottish households and businesses and put around 4,000 jobs at risk.

Working with FairFuel UK, the SNP has repeatedly attracted cross-party support for its efforts to win a fairer deal on fuel duties for households and businesses.
Commenting, SNP Westminster Transport Spokesperson and MP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar Angus MacNeil MP said:

“The scrapping of this planned tax hike is positive news and is the culmination of a hard fought campaign which has won support from a variety of different sectors.

“Sky high fuel prices affect every single one of us, driving up the cost of motoring and the price of everything we buy in our day to day lives.

“In Scotland’s many rural communities high fuel prices have a particularly heavy impact as prices are usually both even higher than urban areas and are unavoidable for households who simply do not have the option of using more public transport.

“That is why we have campaigned heavily for a fairer deal on fuel prices and why it is a relief that on this matter at least, the Chancellor has heeded our calls.

“The last thing that people needed was a fresh hike to fuel duty, so I am sure that people across Scotland will be delighted that our campaign has been successful.”

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